Powder postpones ski race

Michael Kirby/Auburn JournalLift lines were short at Boreal Monday, where the Central Division II giant slalom high school ski race was called off due to large accumulations of soft snow over the weekend.

The two to three feet of fresh powder that fell at Sierra resorts over the weekend may have been a boon to many area skiers and riders, but it prompted a rare cancellation of Monday’s Central Division II giant slalom ski race at Boreal.
Skiers from Bear River, Colfax and Placer learned of the postponement midday Sunday. The Auburn Ski Club, “called the division director and said they didn’t feel comfortable with the race taking place,” according to Matt Conley, coach of the Hillmen squad.
“It’s the first race cancelled in an awful long time,” Conley said. “They cancelled it due to figuring maybe the base was too softened. Firmer snow is racing snow, not necessarily a powder dog day.”
The race, the third and final Central II giant slalom, has been rescheduled for next Monday morning.
“Being GS and turning at higher speed I have a feeling there was some concern about injury,” Conley said.
Placer’s girls are sitting at the top of the standings and gearing up for state championships with slalom events remaining at Boreal and Sugar Bowl next month.
A week after adding Kyle Wells as their fourth racer, the Hillmen boys are anxious to factor into team competition during the final three races. They were forced to cancel two practices last week due to rain at Sierra resorts.
“We’ll be able to get two practices in with our fourth boy before this last GS.” Conley said.